Elyse Clayton
Breeze-Courier
Manners Park commemorated the opening of their public swimming pool for another season throughout Memorial Day weekend, to much rejoicing from households throughout the area. Along with all of their normal summertime activities, the park has numerous brand-new jobs in the works, consisting of a brand-new swimming pool and splash pad in addition to a dog park.
The present swimming pool has actually been serving Taylorville for over 60 years now. It opened in June of 1962 with the most recent restoration in 2002. In April, citizens passed a referendum for bond financing of $6,500,000 to build a brand-new swimming pool. Though that quantity covers a considerable part of the remodellings, the park district still needs to fundraise and obtain grants prior to building can begin.
“For the pool, I know there was some confusion, but we are open!” Director of Recreation Bailey Hancock ensured. “While the referendum is wonderful and I cannot be more thankful to the people that went out and voted ‘yes,’ we’ve still got some fundraising to do, as well as a grant that we are applying to in August.”
The grant increases to $600,000, however the park cannot obtain it if they have actually begun building, so the objective is to press the present swimming pool through this season and next season and after that begin building in August of 2024, opening with a brand name brand-new swimming pool and splash pad in June of 2025.
“There is still a lot of work going on with the pool,” Bailey said. “It has not stopped. We will do everything we can to keep the pool running until we’re financially able to replace it. Hopefully we can get two more seasons out of it so we can secure this grant and the rest of the funding and begin construction.”
Fundraising has actually already begun for the swimming pool. At completion of the academic year, regional grade schools raised almost $2,000 by gathering “Pennies for the Pool,” making the leading classes a totally free swimming pool celebration.
“I want the kids to feel like they are a part of this,” Bailey said. “This pool is for them.”
The park district is likewise offering “Petunias for the Pool” at $20 per pot. Other fundraising concepts in the works consist of donor bricks and some activities at the swimming pool throughout the summertime.
“We’re working on a lot more fundraisers,” Bailey said. “It’s just slow going right now to get volunteers.”
If someone wishes to volunteer or has fundraising concepts, Bailey advises them to connect. She likewise motivates everybody to follow their Facebook pages, Taylorville Park District and Save Manners Park Pool, and watch on their website, taylorvilleparkdistrict.com, for updates and news.
The fundraising and preparation has actually not decreased any of the normal summertime swimming pool activities. The swimming pool is open from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 1:00-6:00 p.m. on weekends for open swim. The swimming pool likewise has lots of opportunities for swim lessons, water aerobics, zumba classes, junior lifeguard training, swimming pool celebrations and more.
“Pool parties have been filling up rapidly,” Bailey explained, “so if anybody wants a pool party, they need to call me ASAP.”
The park’s summertime camp likewise launched this previous week, and it is complete with almost 50 campers.
“They are very excited about the summer,” Bailey chuckled. “I will keep them busy and wear them out.”
The park likewise uses a senior lunch program every 2nd Thursday of the month. They have a potluck-style meal in the Dining Hall at Manners Park where the park supplies the main course and all going to senior citizens are welcomed to bring a side or dessert. They complete it off with Bingo. For more details or to RSVP, interested celebrations can call the workplace at 217-824-5878.
Another amazing addition to Manners Park is the Dr. Thomas Brewer Memorial Dog Park. The park district began for building on May 10. The parking area has actually been put, and a business has actually been worked with to do the fencing. Other smaller sized products, like seating, are still in the works.
“We’re still a couple months out from any of that being done,” Bailey said, “but we are on the list to get all of that. Again, follow the Facebook page, and we’ll have updates as our board meetings and things come in.”
The whole dog park is being contributed in memory of Dr. Brewer, who was a huge animal fan. Though much of the contents are sill depending on rates, there will be a different location for huge dogs and little dogs, a double gate to avoid dogs from going out, benches, and water fountains. There will likewise be some sort of registration to reveal that dogs have vaccinations. There might be a little registration charge to keep the dog park, however that is likewise still up in the air.
“It will be beautiful once it’s done,” Bailey said.